freshwater

Shrinking Planet: Water

Jan 23 2014

Fresh water nourishes crops, hydrates rural and urban populations alike, and generates energy in countries around the world. Streams and rivers provide natural transportation routes for huge volumes of local and international trade, connecting town-to-town and nation-to-nation.

Our oceans are not only rife with aquatic habitats and fish, but are also home to increasingly valuable sources of energy in the forms of offshore oil, wind, and gas. As we invent new ways to use our ocean resources, the number of competing interests multiplies and the factors determining how we prioritize these resources roll and shift under our feet.